Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has once again reaffirmed his allegiance to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), categorically stating that there would be no further political U-turns from his side. His comments come at a crucial time, with the Bihar Assembly Elections 2025 on the horizon, and as political alignments begin to solidify across the state.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the Khelo India Youth Games, Nitish Kumar delivered a direct message to both his supporters and political observers. “I am going to remain here always. My party made me go here and there a couple of times earlier. But this is not going to happen again. Who made me (the CM)? It was late Atal Bihari Vajpayee,” he said. His statement serves as both a reassurance to the NDA alliance and an acknowledgment of the role BJP played in his political ascent.

A History of Political Swings

Nitish Kumar, one of the most seasoned and longest-serving Chief Ministers in Indian politics, has had a checkered history of political alliances:

• Mid-1990s to 2013: He allied with the BJP, growing under the NDA umbrella and eventually becoming a significant national face.

• 2013: Kumar snapped ties with the BJP, opposing Narendra Modi’s elevation within the party.

• 2015: In a surprising move, he partnered with RJD and Congress under the Mahagathbandhan, defeating the BJP in Bihar.

• 2017: He again abandoned the Mahagathbandhan, returning to the NDA.

• 2022: Nitish Kumar left the NDA once more, alleging BJP’s interference and joined the RJD-led coalition again.

• January 2024: Disillusioned by the INDIA bloc and its direction, Kumar returned once again to the NDA fold, claiming it was a final decision.

Kumar’s repeated realignments have earned him both criticism and admiration—criticism for the frequent ideological flip-flops, and admiration for his ability to remain politically relevant and strategically flexible.

2025 Bihar Assembly Elections: What's at Stake?

The upcoming assembly elections, scheduled for October-November 2025, will be a litmus test for Kumar’s credibility, particularly after his most recent shift back to the NDA. The JD(U), under Kumar’s leadership, will be contesting as a junior partner to the BJP, which has significantly increased its organizational and grassroots presence in Bihar in recent years.

The 2020 elections saw the NDA clinching victory with Nitish Kumar continuing as Chief Minister. However, internal tensions and perceived attempts by BJP to sideline JD(U) led to Kumar breaking away in 2022. That experiment with the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan, however, was short-lived.

Kumar’s decision to co-found the INDIA alliance, an umbrella group meant to challenge the BJP at the national level, was seen as a bold but ultimately unsuccessful move. In January 2024, just months ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, he resigned from the alliance, stating that its direction was unclear and rejoined the NDA.

This back-and-forth movement is being positioned by Kumar himself as a closed chapter. “This is not going to happen again,” he said firmly on Sunday, suggesting a finality to the decade-long oscillation between opposing political camps.

Acknowledging the BJP’s Role in His Rise

In an unusual move, Nitish Kumar also publicly acknowledged the role of the BJP and particularly Atal Bihari Vajpayee in his political journey. This is notable given his earlier resistance to Narendra Modi's leadership within the BJP, which had been the primary reason for his 2013 exit from the alliance.

Such statements are being interpreted by political analysts as a gesture of loyalty to the current BJP leadership, perhaps to ensure a smooth continuation of the alliance and an understanding on seat-sharing for the upcoming assembly elections.

Khelo India and Political Messaging

The Khelo India Youth Games, although primarily a sports initiative, served as a strategic platform for Kumar to send a political message. The event, which brought together thousands of young athletes, was an ideal stage for youth outreach, brand reinforcement, and alliance clarity.

Kumar emphasized development, youth empowerment, and stability, aligning these themes with the NDA’s broader national narrative. His presence and words were less about sports and more about consolidating political ground ahead of a major electoral battle.

Opposition's Response

While the BJP appears satisfied with Kumar’s latest public show of allegiance, the opposition—particularly the RJD and Congress—has criticized the JD(U) leader for being opportunistic and untrustworthy. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav recently called Nitish Kumar a "political turncoat", urging voters to not fall for "repackaged promises".

The INDIA bloc, which Kumar had once attempted to shape and lead, is now working without him, and some leaders have accused Kumar of damaging its unity from within.

What This Means for the NDA

For the NDA, Kumar’s clear commitment adds stability to the alliance in Bihar, a politically important state. With 243 assembly seats, Bihar is a crucial battleground, and having a seasoned face like Nitish Kumar can help the BJP retain its rural support base while managing coalition politics more effectively.

His statement also shields the NDA from opposition attacks about internal cracks and improves public perception of the coalition's longevity.

Conclusion

With the 2025 Bihar Assembly Elections fast approaching, Nitish Kumar's declaration of unwavering loyalty to the NDA sets the tone for what is expected to be a high-stakes political contest. By crediting the BJP for his rise, disowning previous alliances as temporary errors, and pledging never to switch sides again, Kumar has placed his political legacy and future within the framework of NDA stability.

Whether this narrative of constancy and gratitude resonates with Bihar’s voters remains to be seen. However, the political chessboard in Bihar has been rebalanced, and Nitish Kumar’s final stand appears to have begun.

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